Findaway Voices/INAudio for Indie Authors

Findaway Voices/INAudio for Indie Authors: Timeline, Process, Contracts, and Strategic Review

In 2016, Findaway Voices emerged as a division of Findaway, a technology company already making waves in the audiobook space. Its parent company had long served traditional publishers, libraries, and retailers with backend infrastructure for audiobook distribution, but the launch of Findaway Voices marked a shift in focus—one that gave independent authors an unprecedented level of control over their audiobooks.

At a time when Audible's ACX platform was dominating indie audiobook production—but tying authors down with seven-year exclusivity contracts and restrictive royalty models—Findaway Voices entered the scene with a radically different vision: open access, no exclusivity, a wide global retail network, and royalty terms that reflected transparency and author-first values. It quickly became the go-to solution for authors who wanted to go wide with their audiobooks, just as they had done with ebooks using aggregators like Draft2Digital or Smashwords.

By 2021, the platform had grown large enough to catch the attention of major tech players. Spotify, already the world’s largest streaming audio platform, acquired Findaway in a strategic move to enter the audiobook market. With Findaway’s technology and retail relationships, Spotify could now begin distributing audiobooks globally while developing its own proprietary listening ecosystem. This acquisition positioned Spotify as a legitimate rival to Audible, particularly in the subscription-driven, mobile-first market.

In 2024, Findaway Voices was rebranded as INAudio under the Spotify umbrella. The rebrand reflects its deeper integration with Spotify’s tools, discovery algorithms, and distribution policies, but it still retains the foundational principles that made Findaway Voices a trusted partner for indie authors.

Timeline of Major Events

• 2016: Findaway Voices launches to serve indie authors
• 2018: Integration with Draft2Digital for seamless ebook-to-audio expansion
• 2019: Launch of AI-powered narrator discovery and casting tools
• 2021: Spotify acquires Findaway
• 2022: Direct sales support via BookFunnel
• 2023: Introduction of the Findaway Marketplace for open narrator hiring
• 2024: Full rebranding to INAudio with direct Spotify for Authors integration

The Audiobook Creation Process with INAudio

Authors begin by creating a free account at INAudio. From there, they are guided through a step-by-step publishing process that accommodates every level of experience:

1. Upload Metadata: Authors input essential details—title, subtitle, series, author name, ISBN, synopsis, keywords, and categories. This metadata is crucial for search visibility on major platforms.
2. Audio Upload or Narrator Search: Authors can upload their own completed audiobook or use the narrator marketplace to hire professional voice talent. The platform supports human narration, AI narration (via integrations like ElevenLabs), or self-narration.
3. Production Coordination: Once a narrator is chosen, the author approves an audition and negotiates pay-per-finished-hour or custom agreements. Audio files are submitted in chapters, reviewed for quality, and processed for mastering.
4. Distribution and Pricing: Authors select the platforms they want to distribute to. While suggested pricing is entered, final retail prices may vary depending on the platform. The author retains the right to exclude certain stores.
5. Publication and Royalties: After internal QC and metadata review, the book is published and distributed. Royalties are reported monthly, and authors have full access to a real-time earnings dashboard.

Contract Terms: Designed for Author Autonomy

The INAudio contract is one of the most flexible in the industry. Where ACX requires a seven-year exclusive commitment for maximum royalties, INAudio gives authors complete freedom:

• No Exclusivity: You retain all rights and may distribute your audiobook elsewhere.
• Takedown Rights: You can remove your audiobook at any time for any reason.
• Royalty-Share Optional: You can hire narrators for flat fees or negotiate royalty shares—there is no platform-imposed requirement.
• Monthly Payments: Royalties are paid monthly with transparent breakdowns by platform.
• Direct Sales License: You are free to sell your audiobook directly using BookFunnel, Shopify, Payhip, or your own website.

Costs and Royalty Rates: What to Expect

There are no upfront costs to distribute through INAudio. However, production costs vary based on how you create your audiobook:

Human Narration Costs:

• Typical rate: $200–$400 per finished hour
• For a 100,000-word book (approx. 10.5 hours): $2,100–$4,200
• Includes narration, editing, and mastering (if hired through the platform)

AI Narration Costs (via ElevenLabs):

• $22/month for the Pro tier
• One-time mastering via tools like Auphonic: ~$12/hour
• Total cost for a 10.5-hour book: under $200

Royalties by Platform:

• Spotify Audiobooks: ~50–60% of net sales
• Apple Books: ~70%
• Google Play: ~52%
• Kobo/Walmart: ~45–55%
• Scribd: 35–50% (subscription-based model)
• Library Systems (OverDrive, Hoopla, Bibliotheca): 30–50%
• BookFunnel/Shopify Direct Sales: Up to 90% to the author

Royalties are compiled monthly, though smaller retailers and library systems may have 1–2 month reporting delays.

All Distribution Partners (2024)

INAudio distributes to the following audiobook platforms and libraries:

1. Spotify
2. Apple Books (iTunes)
3. Google Play Books
4. Kobo + Walmart
5. Scribd
6. Storytel
7. Nook Audiobooks (Barnes & Noble)
8. OverDrive (Libraries)
9. Bibliotheca
10. Hoopla
11. Audiobooks.com
12. Chirp
13. Bookmate
14. eStories
15. Hummingbird
16. Downpour
17. Baker & Taylor
18. Leamos
19. BookBeat
20. 24symbols
21. MLOL (MediaLibraryOnLine)
22. iVOOX
23. Tiktok Audiobooks (coming via Spotify integration)

This reach gives indie authors exposure to millions of listeners across more than 170 countries.

Known Challenges and Platform Limitations

Despite its strengths, INAudio isn’t perfect. Here are some of the recurring pain points reported by indie authors:

• Retailer Price Overrides: Suggested pricing can be overridden by major retailers. Google and Apple may discount audiobooks to match market norms.
• Metadata Inconsistencies: Some platforms miscategorize books or truncate metadata.
• Royalty Reporting Delays: Spotify and library platforms can report earnings on a 60–90-day delay.
• Narrator Communication Lags: Authors hiring through the Marketplace may encounter response delays.
• Duplicate Listings: The same audiobook may appear more than once if delivered via overlapping distributor pipelines (e.g., via both Kobo and INAudio).

Strategic Benefits and Real Tradeoffs

Key Advantages:

• No exclusivity or long-term lock-in
• Human, self, or AI narration supported
• Direct sales integration
• Access to Spotify and major global retailers
• Transparent monthly reporting
• Ability to run promotions or remove listings at will

Potential Drawbacks:

• Limited control over retail pricing
• Royalty share agreements require individual negotiation
• No promotional tools (like ACX’s bounty program)
• Must manage your own marketing and launch strategy

Final Thoughts: Why INAudio Is Still the Smartest Play for Going Wide

For indie authors serious about owning their careers and expanding their reach, INAudio is an important asset in your distribution strategy. Its non-exclusive, author-first model offers a level of flexibility and professionalism unmatched by ACX or many other platforms. You control your rights, your pricing strategy (where possible), and your sales channels—including your own website.

While it lacks flashy promo programs and promotional incentives, INAudio more than makes up for it in transparency, reliability, and scale. It’s particularly effective when combined with other wide publishing tactics—like selling direct via BookFunnel, creating AI-voiced alternative editions, or promoting via Spotify integrations.

INAudio isn’t just a platform. It’s a philosophy—one that favors the creator, not the corporation. As audiobook sales grow globally, and as Spotify continues investing in discoverability tools and creator incentives, authors who start building their presence on INAudio now will be well-positioned to thrive.